Winter Issue the Blue & White: Winter Issue

Winter Issue The Blue & White: Winter Issue

Letter from Director of Athletics Jim Senter

What a tremendous fall season for The Citadel athletics! Our teams experienced success in competition and in the classroom, and our fans showed the type of support that makes The Citadel special. Head football coach Mike Houston said at his introductory press conference less than two years ago that his goal was to compete for Southern Conference championships. This year’s team provided one of the best seasons in

ourand 108laid yearsthe foundation of football, for finishing what we 9-4 believe overall will and be 6-1 sustained in the SoCon success to withinearn a theco-championship program. and advance to the NCAA FCS Playoffs. The conference title and playoff appearance were the first of each for the Bulldogs since 1992 The crowds continued to grow as we moved through the football season, and the team responded to the support. Our Homecoming game against VMI brought nearly 15,000 fans to Johnson Hagood Stadium for the largest crowd

since 2009. After that game, we played four straight games on the road and every game featured a large, vocal contingentwith our fans of Bulldogmaking muchfaithful. more We noisehad an than entire the corner home Coastalof Williams-Brice Carolina fans. Stadium filled with our fans to witness that historic victory, while our first road playoff win in program history featured a crowd that was at least 50-50, The fall season also saw changes in volleyball, cross country and soccer. Our volleyball team was much more

upward rise for that program. The cross country teams led by Jody Huddleston won three races, including a competitive in head coach Craig Mosqueda’s first season, and his second promises to see a continuation of an

men’s and women’s sweep of the Will Wilson Citadel Invitational, and are preparing for indoor track and field competitionfuture. starting in January. Our women’s soccer team will be under new leadership after Bob Winch’s resignation. We are finalizing our search and are confident we will have a strong leader for soccer in the very near

Winter sports have been in action for a few weeks and are gearing up to hit conference play in 2016. Head coach Duggar Baucom’s basketball team leads the NCAA in scoring with an average of 94.1 points per game and has an enjoyable style of play for spectators. Wrestling, under the direction of Rob Hjerling, is 3-0 in dual meets this season.Championships We are excited here at about the Inouye our rifle Marksmanship team’s new home,Center with in March. the Southern Conference announcing earlier this month that rifle will be a SoCon championship sport in 2016-17. William Smith’s team hosts its final SEARC

I hope you and your families have a fantastic holiday season. The first home event of 2016 is Jan. 2, a basketball gameeverything against we UT-Chattanooga. do at The Citadel. I’m looking forward to having the best fans in the Southern Conference cheering on our cadet-athletes. With your continued support, we will continue focusing on “Rising To The Next Level” in

Go Bulldogs,

Jim Senter

Page 1...... Page 13...... Volleyball Signing Class ...... Track & Field Signing Class ...... Letter from Director of Athletics Jim Senter ...... Page 210...... Football 2015 Season Review Page 14...... Page 611...... DerrickBaseball Henry Signing Feature Class Page 16 2016 Tennis Schedule Baseball Season Tickets Page 17 Rifle Newest SoCon Championship Sport - 1- The Blue & White: Winter Issue Football: 2015 Season Review

The Citadel’s 2015 football season will rank among the best in the Bulldogs’ 108-year history. The Citadel, under the direction of second-year head coach Mike Houston, finished the season 9-4 overall, including a 6-1 mark in the Southern Conference that allowed the Bulldogs to claim the co-SoCon title. seventh in the conference in the coaches’ and media preseason polls, stood atop the conference standings every The Citadel won its first Southern Conference crown since 1992 and third overall. The Bulldogs, picked to finish

day of the 2015 season. The Citadel defeated Western Carolina 28-10 in the SoCon’s first game of 2015 and started a streak of six consecutive conference wins that lasted until a 31-23 defeat at Chattanooga that allowed the Mocs, ranked No. 9 in FCS at the time, to tie for the conference championship.

The Bulldogs rebounded in a major way from their first loss since September, traveling up to Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia the week after Chattanooga and beating South Carolina 23-22. The victory was the third win for a Southern Conference team over an SEC foe and the second SEC victory for The Citadel, which won 10-3 at Arkansas in the Razorbacks’ SEC debut in 1992.

The Citadel jumped on the Gamecocks early and held a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game after a three-and-out by the defense after the opening kickoff and a 59-yard touchdown run by Cam Jackson on the second offensive snap of the day. The Bulldogs held their lead throughout the first half, entering the locker room with a 14-9 halftime lead, and did not face their first deficit until 28:38 into the game. Entering the fourth quarter trailing 16-14, The Citadel began a four-minute, back-and-forth swing by nudging ahead 17-16 on Eric Goins’ 48-yard field goal. After South Carolina scored on a 41-yard touchdown and failed on the two-point conversion, Tyler Renew capped the best game of his career with a 56-yard touchdown run for the final score in the game.

Overall, the Bulldogs trailed for just 13:29 and never by more than five points. They held the lead for 33:56, and their biggest lead of the game was 11 points. The victory snapped South Carolina’s 22-game home unbeaten streak against non-conference opponents as The Citadel was the first non-conference road team to win in Williams-Brice Stadium since Clemson in 2007.

Tyler Renew led the Bulldogs on offense with a career-high 174 rushing yards and a career-high two touchdowns. His rushing total was the most allowed in Williams-Brice Stadium by the Gamecocks since 2006, when Arkansas’ Darren McFadden, the Doak Walker Award winner that season, rushed for 219 yards, and was more than South Carolina allowed to five different teams in 2015.

- 2- The Blue & White: Winter Issue the citadel records broken in 2015

Largest Margin of Victory vs. FCS: 69 (69-0 vs. Davidson) Most Southern Conference Wins: 6 (tie) Previous: 54 (64-10 vs. Charleston Southern, 2003) Previous: 6 (1992)

Most Touchdowns: 10 vs. Davidson (tie) Most 100-Yard Rushing Performances: 14 Previous: 10 (vs. VMI, 2007 and vs. Webber Int’l, 2007) Previous: 13 (2014, 1994)

Most Rushing Touchdowns vs. FCS: 8 vs. Davidson Most All-Purpose Yards: 6,860 Previous: 7 (4x, most recent vs. Chas. Southern, 2012) Previous: 6,669 (1971)

Most 100-Yard Rushers: 4 at Coastal Carolina Most Total Offense Yards: 5,474 Previous: 3 (at Appalachian State, 2012; at VMI, 1998) Previous: 5,323 (1992)

Most Field Goals Made: 5 vs. VMI Most Rushing Yards: 4,510 Previous: 4 (vs. Marshall, 1996) Previous: 4,348 (1992)

Most Field Goals Made: 5, Eric Goins vs. VMI Most Interception Return Yards: 515 Previous: 4 (Justin Skinner vs. Marshall, 1996) Previous: 396 (1997)

Most Kicking Points: 17, Eric Goins vs. VMI Most Field Goals Made: 16 Previous: 16 (Mike Adams vs. Webber Int’l, 2007) Previous: 14 (1996, 2002)

Most Field Goals Made: 16, Eric Goins Previous: 14 (Justin Skinner, 1996; Travis Zobel, 2002)

gatheredWith the winto watch at South as a Carolina, group, they The learned Citadel they was wereconfident in and it wouldheading return to Coastal to the Carolina NCAA FCS only Playoffs two hours for the up firstthe time since 1992 but that was not official until the Selection Show aired Sunday morning on ESPNU. With the team make the playoffs, but the celebration quickly turned to preparation. The group of men inside Seignious Hall might coast and a rematch of the 2014 season opener, Coach Houston’s debut at The Citadel. The Bulldogs were estatic to

have been the most confident team in America heading into the playoffs, and they would make their playoff debut within driving distance for fans, who traveled in droves to make the crowd Brooks Stadium at least 50-50.

The first-round game was the highest-scoring contest of the season with both offenses responding to each score. The Bulldogs again took an early lead less than three minutes into the game when Cam Jackson scored three plays into a drive set up by Kailik Williams’ interception. The teams traded touchdowns throughout the first half, and the Chanticleers led 21-14 as the teams went into the locker rooms. The Bulldogs continued to respond and opened up a game-high, 10-point lead in the fourth quarter when Shy Phillips returned an interception 32 yards for a 38-28 lead. Coastal Carolina mounted a comeback and tied the game with 5:38 remaining. The Citadel drove into position for a Goins field goal but it was blocked, and the Chanticleers took over needing only a field goal to advance to the second round. As Coastal Carolina neared midfield, Tevin Floyd burst through on a delayed blitz and forced a winfumble in program on a third-down history. sack that was recovered by Mitchell Jeter. Given another opportunity, Goins blasted a 43- yard field goal through the middle of the uprights as time expired and The Citadel had earned its first road playoff

The ground game again paced the Bulldogs, who produced four 100-yard rushers in the same game for the first time in school history on their way to 524 total rushing yards. The team total, which featured 174 yards from Dominique Allen, 129 from Renew, 118 by Cam Jackson and 100 from Vinny Miller, was the highest in an NCAA FCS Playoff game since 2012 when Georgia Southern rushed for 602 and the second-highest single-game total by an FCS team in 2015 behind The Citadel’s 535 rushing yards in its season-opening 69-0 win over Davidson. - 3- The Blue & White: Winter Issue

The Citadel’s season ended in the second round, tying for the longest postseason run in program history. The

Bulldogs’ nine wins in 2015 trail only the 1992 team’s 11 wins on the school’s all-time list, and their six Southern Conference victories tied the 1992 squad for the program record. The Citadel won five straight games beginning with its 39-12 win against Wofford, snapping a 16-game losing streak in the series, and continuing through a 35-14 win over VMI that kept the Silver Shako in Charleston. That win streak was the program’s longest since 1994-95 and the longest in single season since 1992.

ConferenceThe Bulldogs in posted rushing dominant offense, sacksnumbers allowed, in all yardsthree perphases completion, during the interceptions, 2015 season. tackles The Citadel for loss led allowed, FCS with five turnoversinterception forced, return yards touchdowns per rush, and rushing a school-record touchdowns, 515 punt interception return defense, return passing yards, andtouchdowns topped the allowed, Southern fumble

in many individual statistical categories. Junior linebacker Tevin Floyd led the conference with two interception recoveries, third-down defense, tackles for loss and kickoff return defense. The Bulldogs also topped the SoCon quarterback Dominique Allen’s 13 rushing touchdowns led the conference, and Joe Crochet and Kailik Williams tiedreturn for touchdowns, the SoCon lead tied with for thetwo highest fumble totalrecoveries. in FCS, Redshirt and with freshman 132 interception Quinlan returnWashington yards. topoped Sophomore the conference

with 572 combined return yards. As part of team success and recognition, individual honors rolled

was voted Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year by the in for the Bulldogs in 2015. Senior defensive lineman Mitchell Jeter and Coach Houston was selected as the Southern Conference Coach ofconference’s the Year by coaches, the coaches becoming and media the first covering Bulldog the to SoCon. earn that Coach honor,

Houston, who became the first coach at The Citadel to lead his team to a conference title within his first two seasons and whose 14 wins are FCSthe mostCoach by of a the head Year. coach in his first two seasons in program history, was also voted the American Football Coaches Association Region 2

Jeter, Renew, sophomore defensive back Dee Delaney and senior Jeter also led a contingent of four Bulldogs to earn All-America status. from at least one outlet, with Jeter and Delaney earning spots on three offensive lineman Sam Frye all picked up All-America recognition

different All-American squads. Junior defensive lineman Joe Crochet was a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American, the first Bulldog to earn that honor since 1989. Conference teams. In addition to being voted Defensive Player of The Bulldogs had 13 individuals recognized on the All-Southern Washington. Junior offensive lineman Kyle Weaver, Floyd, Goins, the Year, Jeter was joined on the first-team by Frye, Delaney and

defensivesenior defensive lineman lineman Ken Allen Mark and Thomas Washington and Williams were selected. all earned second-team all-conference honors. The Southern Conference All-Freshman Team featured four Bulldogs as offensive lineman Tyler Davis, B-Back Evan McField,

The Citadel’s 2015 season will be remembered forever by those who experienced it, and the senior class hopes to have left a foundation that will continue to be built upon. The coaches are finalizing the 2016 signing class in andadvance the home of National opener Signing is slated Day for on Sept. Feb. 10 3, andagainst the Furman.Bulldogs begin their quest for a second consecutive Southern Conference championship with the opening of spring practice Feb. 23. The 2016 season kicks off Sept. 3 at Mercer,

- 4- The Blue & White: Winter Issue 2015 the citadel honors

Dominique Allen Mike Houston College Sports Madness Southern Conference Offensive Player AFCA Region 2 FCS Coach of the Year of the Week (Oct. 18) Southern Conference Coach of the Year ASN Player of the Week Nominee (Oct. 19) HERO Sports FCS Offensive Stud of the Week (Nov. 30) Mitchell Jeter Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year (coaches) Ken Allen College Sports Madness All-American (first team) All-Southern Conference Freshman Team Associated Press All-American (second team) STATS All-American (third team) Joe Crochet First-Team All-Southern Conference (coaches & media) CoSIDA first-team Academic All-American HERO Sports FCS Defensive Stud of the Week (Oct. 19) CoSIDA first-team Academic All-District CFPA Defensive End/Defensive Tackle Award Watch List

Tyler Davis Evan McField All-Southern Conference Freshman Team All-Southern Conference Freshman Team

Dee Delaney Tyler Renew Walter Camp All-American STATS All-American (first team) STATS All-American (first team) Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 23) Associated Press All-American (second team) College Sports Madness National Offensive Player of the Week College Sports Madness All-American (second team) (Nov. 22) First-Team All-Southern Conference (coaches & media) Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Month (September) Mark Thomas Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 19) Second-Team All-Southern Conference (coaches) College Sports Madness Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 13) Quinlan Washington STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year Watch List First-Team All-Southern Conference return specialist (coaches) CFPA Defensive Back Award Watch List All-Southern Conference Freshman Team linebacker Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 9) Brandon Eakins HERO Sports FCS Defensive Stud of the Week (Nov. 9) William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist CFPA Kick Returner Award Watch List

Tevin Floyd Kyle Weaver Second-Team All-Southern Conference (coaches & media) Second-Team All-Southern Conference (coaches & media) Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Month (November) CoSIDA first-team Academic All-District Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 7) Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 12) Kailik Williams College Sports Madness Southern Conference Defensive Player Second-Team All-Southern Conference (coaches) of the Week (Oct. 11) College Sports Madness Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 25)

Sam Frye Walter Camp All-American College Sports Madness All-American (third team) First-Team All-Southern Conference (coaches & media)

Eric Goins Second-Team All-Southern Conference (media) Fred Mitchell Award Finalist Fred Mitchell Award Recognition (October) Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week (Nov. 11) CFPA Placekicker Award Watch List

- 5- The Blue & White: Winter Issue Baseball: 2015 Signing Class

signeesThe Citadel from baseball South Carolina team recently and two announced from Florida. the addition of 12 student-athletes who have signed with the Bulldogs and will enroll in the fall of 2016. The group consists of seven pitchers and five position players with 10

“We are excited that these 12 student-athletes have selected The Citadel to continue their education and their J.D.baseball Davis, experience,” Jr. head coach Fred Jordan said. “We look forward to seeing them on campus next fall.” Shortstop | Stratford High School | Goose Greek, S.C.

• Earned five letters in baseball and three in football • Was a member of the all-region and all-state Rookie Teams freshman year • Batted .333 freshman year and .305 junior year • Member of the North Charleston baseball team that won back-to-back World Series championships in 2014 and 2015 • Played in 2013 football state championship game and leadership to the middle of our diamond for years to come. J.D. comes to us from Stratford High School, which Coach David Beckley on Davis: “J.D. is a big pick up for the future of our middle infield. He will bring athleticism

has provided a tremendous amount of talent to us over the years. He was coached by John Chalus, Alan Biggers, and former Bulldog standout Ken Lott. We are not only getting a great student but a tremendous leader in the Willcommunity Abbott as well. We are very excited about the quality of young man we are inheriting!” RHP | Camden High School | Camden, S.C.

• Three-year letterman in baseball • Earned Pitcher of the Year award junior season • High school coach, Denny Beckley, is brother of assistant coach David Beckley should compete for a spot in our starting rotation right away. He has all the physical tools that you look for in a Coach Beckley on Abbott: “Will is a big, physical right-handed pitcher that has a very high ceiling. We feel that Will

starting pitcher. Not only does he have the size and velocity, but he also has the ability to throw three pitches. We are excited to get him down here with our pitching coach Britt Reames and start the developmental process of Willwhat Pillsbury it takes to be a starter in college baseball.”

LHP | Oakleaf High School | Orange Park, Fla. • RelativesEarned five Christopher letters through Pillsbury baseball played and at soccer FAU and professionally and Kenneth Pillsbury played football at Georgia • Coached by Dan Corsi of the Coastal Prospects Organizations

- 6- The Blue & White: Winter Issue

a weekend spot in our rotation right away. He has all the tools to be a very high level starter here at The Citadel. We Coach Beckley on Pillsbury: “Will is a power arm from the left side with a very high ceiling. Will should compete for breaking balls. Will had a tremendous amount of scholarship offers across the country and we are really excited he love his arm and mental make-up on the mound. He understands how to pitch, and can already throw two different

Zachchose Taglieri The Citadel to further his education and baseball future.”

• Is a part of the baseball, cross country, bowling and golf teams in high school RHP | Port St. Lucie High School | Port St. Lucie, Fla

• AEarned part of 2015 the Principal’s first-team all-areaHonor Roll honors all four junior years year of ashigh well school as USA Today HS Athlete Performance of the Week in •March Uncle of Marc 2015 Taglieri played baseball at the University of Virginia

Coach Beckley on Taglieri: “Zach commands three pitches for strikes. He has the ability to have a swing and miss breaking ball and with continued development this pitch could be a game changer for him. We think Zach can be utilized as a starting pitcher but can also pitch out of the bullpen with his strike-throwing ability. Zach pitched for one of the best summer teams in Florida, The Easton Rockets. Zach has grown up around baseball as his dad Paul is Austinthe director Todd of Florida Operations for the New York Mets.”

RHP | Belton-Honea Path High School | Pelzer, S.C. • Earned Palmetto High School baseball Cy Young Award sophomore season • Played for former Bulldog Jay Reames who is brother of assistant coach Britt Reames in summer/fall ball starter or will play an important role in the bullpen over his career. He has good velocity but we love his curveball! WeCoach feel Beckley he has aon swing Todd: and “Austin miss is out another pitch already, big and whichsturdy, will physical really right-handed help him in his pitcher. adjustment He could to collegebe used baseball. as a

JonathanWe will try Sabo to develop a consistent changeup to his arsenal in the fall.”

INF/RHP | West Ashley High School | Charleston, S.C. • Transfer from USC Lancaster • Five-year baseball varsity starter • RelativeGarnered Chris all-state, Sabo all-region played for and Michigan Lowcountry and the Player Cincinnati of the RedsYear honors junior and senior year • Batted .420 senior year and went 9-2 on the mound

Coach Beckley on Sabo: “Jonathan is a very versatile ballplayer. He can play any infield position well and can also really pitch! He also hits in the 3-hole for USC-L and has put up very good numbers. We feel he will bring not only his versatility to our defense but an experienced middle of the lineup right-handed bat to our left-handed-dominant lineup. He plays the game very hard and is extremely competitive. Bulldog fans will enjoy his style of play! Jonathan Jaredpreviously Firmstone played with former Bulldog assistant coach Randy Carlson of the East Coast Baseball Academy.” Catcher | Greenville High School | Simpsonville, S.C.

• Four-year baseball letterman • RelativesFirst-team Tony All-Region Firmstone AAAA played catcher baseball and second-team at Akron University, all-state Alexacatcher Thompson junior year played soccer at Penn State and Sydney• A part Patton of the 2013played Big women’s League tennisWorld atSeries Chattanooga champions

- 7- The Blue & White: Winter Issue

handed hitting catcher that we are really excited about. We expect Jared to be a future power bat in the middle of Coach Beckley on Firmstone: “Jared comes to us from talent-rich Greenville High School. He is a big, physical right- him at multiple positions if needed to keep his bat in the lineup. He has worked with and coached by former Citadel our lineup. Jared is a very good athlete; he runs well for a big guy. Due to his athleticism, we will be able to utilize

Brycestandout Leasure Zach Brown over the years in the Upstate Mavericks organization.”

Catcher/1B | JL Mann High School | Simpsonville, S.C. • Five-year varsity letterman • .431 batting average and .615 on-base percentage junior year • SCBCA 2015 AAAA all-state team and 2015 HSSR-SCHSL AAAA all-state baseball honors junior year • Played on JL Mann 2015 Upstate champion and runner-up state champion team

Coach Beckley on Leasure: “Bryce is a left-handed hitting catcher from JL Mann High School in Greenville, South Carolina. Bryce popped on the scene last spring and helped lead JL Mann to the state championship series. We impressedhave a couple with of hisright-handed quality plate hitting appearances. catchers inHe our always program, seemed so weto do needed something to recruit positive a left-handed and was a one. very We tough feel that Bryce will give us that versatility that we will need in our lineup. In our evaluation of Bryce, we were always

out. Those qualities will only help us as he improves throughout his career. Bryce is also very well coached, as he Chasecomes Kinseyto us from Brian Simpson of JL Mann and John Rhodes of the Diamond Devils.”

• Three letters in baseball •Outfield/1B Started in more | T.L. Hannathan 30 High games School sophomore | Anderson, season, S.C. team won region and district championships

• Defensive MVP, won region and district championships junior year • .320 batting average, 20 RBI, 1 HR and .400 on-base percentage junior season

• A part of South Carolina team in 2015 Big League World Series U.S. Finals

goodCoach swing Beckley from on left Kinsey: side, “Chaseand runs reached really outwell to for us a in big the guy. spring We feel about like his Chase possible is another interest late in bloomer attending that The has a Citadel. We finally tracked him down in Atlanta this summer and left really impressed with his skills. Chase has a

high ceiling and will only improve here at The Citadel. He plays summer ball for Blue Chip Bulls and is coached by Michaelformer Clemson “Bo” Gobin standout Seth Brizek.” RHP | Summerville High School | Summerville, S.C.

• Three-year letter winner in baseball • Batted .304 with a .417 on-base percentage junior season • Pitched 21 innings and held a 1.00 ERA junior year as well as two-time all-tournament at CABA • MVP Pitcher at Dynamic Baseball tournament • Team went 25-4 en route to winning I.P. Classic, Blythewood Invitational, Region 8-AAAA last season

Coach Beckley on Gobin: “Bo comes to us from Summerville High School where he plays for Banks Faulkner and former Bulldog standout Phil Tobin. Bo is a two-way standout for the Green Wave where he plays second base and pitcher. Bo is another player that really helped himself by coming to our camp. He will be likely be utilized mostly as a relief pitcher. We will use his sidearm motion to match up against right-handed hitters, but he also has the ability to get left handers out too because of his ability to throw three pitches for strikes.”

- 8- The Blue & White: Winter Issue

Jeffrey Brown

OF | Bishop England High School | Charleston, S.C. • Three-time letter winner in baseball • AA all-state baseball team junior season • Batted .402 with 27 stolen bases and 25 runs scored • All-Lowcountry baseball award in 2015 • Cousin, Eugene Glynn, coaches 3rd base for the Minnesota Twins

JefferyCoach Beckleywas a player on Brown: we heard “Jeffery a good is another bit about local and talent then hefrom came Bishop to camp England and reallyHigh School, opened where our eyes. he plays We are for excitedformer Bulldogabout his standout athleticism! Mike He Darnell. will be Jeffery able to is put a left-handed a lot of pressure hitting on outfielder the defense for thewith Bishops his speed and and hits is leadoff. also very capable of being a plus defender. Jeffery is a late bloomer and we are excited to see his continued progress. Jeffery

Gunnarplays summer Finneseth ball for Rawlings of Charleston, coached by Brad Windham.”

LHP | Bishop England High School | Charleston, S.C. • Four-year letterman in baseball • Grandfather,Named 2-A all-state Paul Finneseth, by Diamond played Prospects baseball and football at Western Kentucky University • Led the team with a .442 batting average junior year

Coach Beckley on Finneseth: “Gunnar is another ballplayer that has benefited from coming to our camp. He moved fromhere recentlythat side from of the Louisville, mound. Gunnar Kentucky. is not Gunnar an overpowering is a left-handed lefty pitcher at this and time, plays but Coachfor former Reames Bulldog likes standout his changeup andMike his Darnell. ability Left-handed to throw strikes. pitching We lookis such forward a commodity to following so we his are development excited that throughoutGunnar will hisadd senior depth year. to our He staff also

played summer ball for Brad Windham and Rawlings of Charleston.”

The Bulldogs will hold their Blue & White Game on Feb. 14 and open their season Feb. 19 with a three-game yourhomestand tickets. against Virginia Tech at Joe Riley Park. Season Ticket Punch Cards for the 2016 season, including games against in-state opponents South Carolina and Clemson, are now available. Call 843-953-DOGS (3647) to order

- 9- The Blue & White: Winter Issue

2016 Citadel Baseball The Citadel Brigadier Foundation Phone orders may be placed by calling The Citadel ticket office at 843-953-DOGS (3647), or order online at By being a member of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation www.CitadelSports.com or Etix.com. you help fund athletic scholarships at The Citadel. Your donation makes it possible for The Citadel to recruit and The Citadel Ticket Office is located in McAlister Field sign high-level student athletes that will excel both on House. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30-5:00. and off the field! For more information on the benefits of Ticket windows at Riley Park open one hour prior to first- joining The Citadel Brigadierfoundation, visit pitch. www.BrigadierFoundation.com

For Office Use Only Order/Pass # ______b Sold By ______2016 Baseball SEason Passes (31 Home Games) Season Ticket Punch card u A Season Punch Card allows for a total of 36 entries to Riley Park over the span of the regular season. Punches are good for reserved seat tickets to the South Carolina and Clemson games. For the South l Carolina and Clemson Games, a maximum of two punches per card may be used. The punch card also grants entry for one vehicle per game into the parking lot adjacent to Riley Park (space permitting, l regular season only). Price Number Total D Season Ticket Punch Card (36 entries to regular season home games-max of 2 entries for each USC or Clemson $160 O game per punch card.) Additional USC and Clemson Tickets for Pass Holders Res GA G USC (Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - 7pm) $13 $12 Clemson Game #1 (Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - 7pm) $13 $12 S Clemson Game #2 (Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - 6pm) $13 $12 Shipping and handling ($6 will be added to each order) $6 1 $6

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- 10- The Blue & White: Winter Issue Derrick Henry: Coming Back Stronger

As a sophomore at Winthrop, Derrick Henry had burst onto the college basketball scene, putting together a breakout season. The dynamic swingman had adjusted to the level of play and was scoring in bunches to lead the

Eagles. as a reliable weapon on the outside. During a trip to Ohio State, Henry felt a twinge in his knee. Winthrop was out to a 4-4 start in the midst of a grueling nonconference slate and Henry was settling into a groove It was uncharted territory for a player who had avoided being sidelined by injuries throughout his career. This would not be any different. He wanted to play for his team and his coaches who needed him, so he battled through it, putting pressure on his other knee and the rest of his lower body.

Henry continued to fight through the injury as the Eagles waded through the conference season. On Feb. 16, 2013, Winthrop traveled to Presbyterian College for another Big South matchup. Henry was flexing another gritty performance, going 5-for-11 from the floor in 27 minutes. Then things took a nasty turn. On a simple floater in the lane, Henry came down awkwardly and his knee gave out without any contact. After an MRI, it was confirmed he had torn both his ACL and meniscus.

“It was the hardest moment of my career,” Henry said. “I had never had an injury make me miss significant time. I Henry’sknew it wouldguess provedbe a long to journeybe right, back as he to had the to court.” sit out a season and a half to fully recover. He says that process was

the most difficult part. of progress and then the next day it would hurt so bad and I “I would have a great day when I felt like I was making a lot

would feel like I was two weeks behind,” Henry said. “I kept believing and my teammates encouraged me so much.”

Henry needed to be strong-willed mentally and confident physically to make a full comeback. Luckily, he learned those himattributes as a person at a young and player. age. Henry recalls the first time he stepped onto a basketball court as a defining moment for With two older, bigger and more athletic brothers spending most of their time playing basketball, Henry wanted to join in. He mustered up the courage to face his brothers on the court and after being pushed down and overpowered, he remembers running to his father with tears in his eyes. His father responded by turning Henry around and forcing him to keep playing.

- 11- The Blue & White: Winter Issue

work“Ever hardsince to then, be like they them. haven’t Seeing been hard able work to get pay me off off gave the court,”me the Henry said. “I saw how good my brothers were and wanted to

confidence to keep at it and keep improving. I made sure to be the Henry,best player faced I couldwith the be biggestand be achallenge leader on of every his career team Ifollowing played on.” the devastating knee injuries, needed to channel that drive and

confidence to bounce back. Eventually, his relentless hard work adaptedhelped him to the return place to of health play. and return to the court. But, he was forced to embrace a supporting role coming off the bench as he re- After graduating and earning a bachelor’s degree from Winthrop,

eligibility. That led him to The Citadel, a military college that Henry wanted to get the absolute most out of his final year of

offered an opportunity to get a one-of-a-kind degree and play in a unique system for innovative first-year head coach Duggar Baucom.

Henry, a now fully-healed machine, is having the best season of his throwcareer. line. He’s His leading scoring the average Bulldogs ranks with second18.4 points among per all game Southern while Conferenceshooting 46 players. percent from the floor and 84 percent from the free

campaign,Meanwhile, Henry’s The Citadel leadership as a team has isproven off to ato solid be invaluable. start following an 11-win season and the Bulldogs are undefeated when Henry scores 18 points or more. On a team with five freshman and only five returning players from last year’s

for improvement, but looking back and remembering all the nights when I put up extra shots or put in an extra lift “To come here and play the way I’ve been able to play is exciting and humbling,” Henry said. “There’s a lot of room

to strengthen my lower body, it means so much to come here and have success.”

With plenty of season left, Henry has a chance to make the 2015-16 campaign a special one for The Citadel and a special one for himself. In the meantime, his work ethic and strong-willed approach to life has translated academically. Henry currently boasts a 4.0 GPA in The Citadel’s graduate program as he strives toward earning his MBA. That, he says, will mean more to him than anything on the court. speaks volumes I can’t even comprehend. I know it’ll be a great moment and one of the best accomplishments of my “It’s amazing to have a chance to graduate from a military school like The Citadel and get a ring,” Henry said. “It

Forlife.” now, Henry will continue to grind on and off the court and cement the current season as the one he’ll never forget. As for the injury?

“I don’t even think about it anymore,” Henry said. “I just play hard.”

- 12- The Blue & White: Winter Issue Volleyball: 2015 Signing Class

The Citadel volleyball coach Craig Mosqueda has signed four future cadet-athletes. Sarah Dobrich, Autumn Bennett and Jenifer Barbot all inked National Letters of Intent to play for the Bulldogs in 2016. Recruited student-athlete Caricia Rodriguez also committed to be a preferred walk-on, rounding out a solid class.

“Our staff wanted to find driven young ladies who understand that when they graduate from The Citadel, they are going to be ahead of graduates earning the same degree.” Coach Mosqueda said. “We wanted them to understand the importance of the Band of Gold program and our alumni network.”

Dobrich is a middle-hitter from Mokena, Illinois, who led Lincoln Way East High School to a 2014 IHSA Regional Championship. Dobrich racked up more than 140 kills in each of the past three seasons and added 101 blocks, 56 digs and 17 aces as a senior. This past season, she served as a team captain and earned all-conference honors as well as Lincoln Way East’s annual Most Valuable Player award.

“Dobrich is a 6-foot-2 middle hitter and we expect her to contribute right off the bat,” Coach Mosqueda said. “She is very driven, wants to be successful and knew The Citadel would provide her the academic support she needs.” Windsor High School. As a senior, she captained a squad that secured a conference champion and an IHSA regional Joining Dobrich up front will be outside hitter Autumn Bennett. Bennett is a Windsor, Illinois, native who starred at

title. Bennett received conference MVP recognition and was named Journal Gazette and Times Courier’s Athlete of the Week three times. Her mother, Lori, played collegiate volleyball at Indiana State from 1993-96.

“Bennett is a great ball-handler on the outside and she will definitely strengthen that position and help us with our depth,” Coach Mosqueda said.

Barbot, whose addition will add depth to the right side, comes to The Citadel from Brunswick, Maryland, where she theset aNational school record Honor atSociety Brunswick and made High theSchool Honor for Rollhitting all fourpercentage years of in high a season school. (.556) during her senior campaign. She finished her career with 327 career kills, 281 career assists and 106 career aces. Barbot was also a member of

“I expect Barbot to compete right away for a spot,” Coach Mosqueda said. “She’s very athletic and dynamic.”

Rodriguez, a recruited student-athlete, is the fourth and final addition of the early signing period. A Naperville, Illinois, native, Rodriguez was the libero for Neuqua Valley High School during the golden era of the program. During her time on varsity, Neuqua Valley won at least 25 matches each season, culminating with a 29-9 season last year, which was the best finish in school history.

“Rodriguez is a libero that is quick and athletic and has a great presence about her so she will bring plenty of enthusiasm and a love for the game to the court,” Coach Mosqueda said.

Coach Mosqueda says he plans to add to the 2016 class before the start of next season, but his staff is thrilled with the commitments from Dobrich, Bennett, Barbot and Rodriguez. Mosqueda said. “This class will complement our young team and provide us with depth at every position next season.” Coach - 13- The Blue & White: Winter Issue Track & Field: 2015 Signing Class

oneThe poleCitadel vaulter track and and one field distance team announced runner. The the group signing features of six student-athletesthree South Carolina that natives,will enroll one at from The Virginia,Citadel in one the fromfall of New 2016. York The and men’s one team signee added from four Germany. runners, three distance and one sprinter, while the women’s team signed

“We are very excited about our current commitments,” head coach Jody Huddleston said. “We think they will be Men’sable to contributeTrack and right Field away. Coach Kut and Coach Leanard have done an outstanding job.”

Brian “Alex” Cothran

•Distance Recorded | T.L. the Hanna fastest High varsity School average | Anderson, time in schoolS.C. history • All- Region Cross Country junior and senior year

• Earned six varsity letters in cross country and four in track • 2013 and 2014 Cross Country Region champions • Brother, Taylor Cothran, plays baseball at The Citadel

Coach Kris Kut on Cothran: “Alex will add some young depth to our cross country team. He will also help the Jourdandistance crewJanyae in Davis-DeWitttrack focusing on the mile, 3k and 5k.” Sprints | Varina High School | Richmond, Va. • Currently holds the 800 sprint medley relay school record

• Garnered three varsity letters in track and field, one in cross country • Ran a 11.72 in the 100 meters, 22.95 in 200 meters and 37.52 in 300 meters junior year

Coach Kut on Jourdan: “Jourdan will help add depth to our sprint squad and should be able to find a spot on the Mustapharelays. He has Elgazar an explosive start and will run everything from the 60 to the 400.” Distance | Central High School | Pageland, S.C.

• Earned eight letters between both track and field and cross country • Was the 800m and 1600m state runner-up junior season • Selected to the All-Region team all four years • Named MVP for 2015 track season after taking home four region titles • Set the Fort Dorchester 4x800m relay school record in 2013

Coach Kut on Mustapha: “Mustapha will add some young depth to our cross country team. He will help our middle distance crew focusing on the 800 during indoor and outdoor season.” - 14- The Blue & White: Winter Issue

Evans Harrison Distance | Riverside High School | Greer, S.C. • Named captain for cross country team junior and senior seasons

• Was a part of 4A state champions team junior year and ranked fourth • Recorded a PR mile of 4:45 during track season junior year • Tallied PR in cross country with 16:38 mark senior season • Father, John Harrison, played baseball at The Citadel from 1989-93

“Coach Kut on Evans: “Evans will add some young depth to our cross country team. He will help the distance crew Women’sin track focusing Track on and the mile, Field 3k and 5k.”

Kalliyan Manly

Pole Vault | Burnt Hills Ballston Lake High School | Burnt Hill, N.Y. • Earned 12 letters through Indoor/Outdoor track and field and soccer • NYS Section 2 Class BB Sectional Indoor champion in pole vault junior year performances• NYS Section 2 Class BB Sectional Outdoor champion in pole vault junior season • Named to Section 2 Harrier Girls Indoor All-Time list in pole vault, ranking 5th out of 20 all-time greatest

• Personal-best 11-3 in pole vault the capability of breaking the freshman and school records as soon as she gets here. We have never had a girl break Coack Kut on Kalliyan: “Kalliyan will make an immediate impact for our women’s program in the pole vault. She has

Alexis11 feet Waskiewiczand she has already accomplished that mark five different times in her young career.” Distance | Stuttgart High School | Stuttgart, Germany

• Earned four letters in cross country and three in soccer • A part of the 300-mile club both junior and senior year • All-Europe cross country team 2011-2014 • Posted a 5k time of 21:21

Coach Kut on Alexis: “Alexis will had some depth to the women’s distance program. She has the potential to find a spot in our top seven as a freshman.”

“We are excited to sign this many prospects during the early signing period,” assistant coach Kris Kut said. “They are a talented bunch that show enormous amounts of potential.” The full schedule for both the indoor and outdoor season are now available at CitadelSports.com. The indoor track and field season will begin January 22nd with the Captains Invitational in Newport News, Virginia.

- 15- The Blue & White: Winter Issue Tennis: 2015 Schedule

The Citadel tennis team’s 2016 spring schedule features 32 total matches, including 14 at home. in January and February that will prepare us for the conference season. Our young team needs to get reps behind us“We before have scheduledour home matchesstrategically,” start ashead the coach weather Chuck breaks. Kriese We said. have “We very are good fortunate athletes enough with great to play attitudes quality whomatches are

hungry, eager and ready to get the season underway. Everyone in our program will represent The Citadel with great pride and purpose.”

matchesThe season at Wakeopens Forest, with the South UCF Carolina Invitational and inFlorida Orlando, State Florida, and will Jan. give 8-10. the The relatively Bulldogs young continue team, theirwhich season- features sevenopening freshmen, 14-match some road good swing experience at Auburn early. on Jan. 15 and N.C. State on Jan. 17. That long road swing will also feature

Wofford will be the first of seven SoCon opponents on the docket as The Citadel travels to Spartanburg Jan. 24.

The Bulldogs will host 14 matches this season at the Earle Tennis Center including East Carolina, James Madison, Boston University, Navy and College of Charleston. on to the Southern Conference Tournament in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Citadel will round out the home slate with five consecutive home matches in the month of April before moving

February Home matches:

27March Appalachian State 2 p.m.

6 East Carolina 9 a.m. 610 CampbellJames Madison 21 p.m. 8 UNC-Greensboro* 2 p.m.

10 Boston 7 p.m. 16 Navy 2 p.m. 21 DePaul 2 p.m. 22April Samford* 2 p.m.

2 Georgia Southern 1 p.m. 3 Chattanooga* Noon 16 ETSU* Noon 16* - SouthernUSC ‐ConferenceSumter match 5 p.m. - 16- The Blue & White: Winter Issue Rifle: Newest SoCon Championship Sport

The Southern Conference is adding rifle as its 21st varsity sport for the 2016-17 academic year. The Citadel, along with VMI and Wofford, will be joined by associate members UAB, Georgia Southern and North Georgia to form a six- member league for the co-educational sport.

The SoCon becomes just the second Division I league to sponsor rifle, joining the Ohio Valley Conference, and will teamconduct titles an andannual VMI conference claiming two. championship including the air rifle and smallbore disciplines to determine the league champion. The SoCon previously sponsored rifle from 1956-85, with The Citadel winning a league-best 10 The Citadel, Georgia Southern, North Georgia and Wofford each comes to the SoCon from the Southeastern Air

Rifle Conference (SEARC), a collective of schools and club teams that conducts regular-season competition and a withchampionship a conference. each year. VMI comes to the SoCon after competing in the Mid-Atlantic Rifle Conference (MAC), a 14-member league composed of five NCAA squads and nine non-NCAA teams, and UAB is currently unaffiliated UAB (mixed team)

UAB’s rifle program has its origins as a club team before it became an NCAA squad in 1992. First competing as a mixed program before becoming a women’s team and adding scholarships in 1997, the team is mixed again beginning this season. Head coach Lori Goodwin has been involved with the program for more than 20 years, first teamas a student-athlete since then. before becoming head coach upon her graduation in 1995. The Blazers competed in the Great Midwest Conference and then Conference USA before both dropped rifle and have competed as an independent The Citadel (mixed and women’s teams)

Returning to a league it dominated for nearly two decades, The Citadel’s rifle program claimed SoCon team titles in 1959, 1961-63, 1968-70, and 1972-74 and produced the league’s inaugural individual champion in 1956. Now sponsoring a mixed team as well as a women’s team, the Bulldogs made the move back from club team to sophomorean intercollegiate Colton squad Poole in and 2001 junior and Patrick has been Meyer under compete the direction at USA ofShooting’s coach William National Smith Junior for theOlympics last 15 at years. the The Citadel, which has hosted the last four SEARC Championship at its Inouye Marksmanship Center, saw current

Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., in May. The Bulldogs have won three SEARC titles, with the last Georgiacoming in Southern 2011. (women’s team)

Georgia Southern added women’s rifle in 2013-14, initially competing in solely air rifle before adding smallbore the Thefollowing facility, season. which GSU, is open which to the was public, a full memberis a joint ofventure the Southern with the Conference Georgia Department from 1991-2014 of Natural before Resources departing and for the Sun Belt, dedicated its new home facility, the 30,000 square-foot Shooting Sports Education Center, in October.

features a 16-lane, 25-meter firing range; a 16-lane, 25-meter archery center; and two training/seminar rooms. The Eagles are led by first-year head coach James Riggs. - 17- The Blue & White: Winter Issue

North Georgia (mixed team)

former North Georgia College and State University was founded. Now known as the University of North Georgia An NCAA Division II school located in Dahlonega, Ga., North Georgia traces its rifle roots back to 1873, when the

after a 2013 merger with Gainesville State College, UNG is one of six senior military colleges in the United States, along with The Citadel and VMI. Head coach Tori Kostecki, in her fifth year at the helm of the program, competed for UNG from 2007-11 and won individual air rifle and team national titles as a senior when UNG was a club team. She became the program’s first full-time coach when it achieved permanent NCAA standing in 2011 and has guided the squad to top-20 rankings in four of the eight national polls so far this season. The Nighthawks won five SEARC titles as a club team, doing so each year from 1996-1999 and again in 2001, and have been runners-up at the VMISEARC (mixed Championship and women’s in each teams) of the last two seasons.

Like The Citadel, VMI’s rifle squad rejoins the league it called home during the SoCon’s initial foray into the sport. titlesThe Keydets, in the expert who now division field in a mixedeach of team the last as well two asyears a women’s at the conference team, won championship SoCon team titles under in 1964the direction and 1971 of and have competed in the Mid-Atlantic Rifle Conference since the 1990-91 season. VMI won the league’s smallbore

Woffordfifth-year (mixed coach Lt. team) Col. Bill Bither.

Wofford’s rifle team achieved varsity status in 2004 and has been under the direction of coach Randy Hall since then. The Terriers finished third at the 2015 SEARC Championship, earning most-improved-team honors, while then-junior Zoe Kloth was named most improved shooter. Wofford’s program dates back to the 1920s, when its ROTC program fielded a club team.

insideThe Citadel the Inouye rifle team Marksmanship is set to return Center. to competition Jan. 16 at home. The Bulldogs will host Air Force on Jan. 17 and the fifth SEARC competition of the season Jan. 23. The SEARC Championships are set to be held March 5 and 6

- 18-